Lucasfilm Animation VP Discusses Underworld Tales and Maul: Shadow Lord: 'An Upgrade'

If Star Wars Celebration Japan is any indication, fans are in for a treat with upcoming animated Star Wars projects. Athena Portillo, Vice President of Animation at Lucasfilm, shared insights with IGN on two highly anticipated series: the newly announced Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord.

Portillo expressed excitement about collaborating with Sam Witwer, the voice behind Darth Maul, on Maul: Shadow Lord. "Sam was deeply involved with the character's depth and lore, working alongside our head writer and supervising director," she said during Star Wars Celebration Japan. "He's been part of Maul's journey from the start, contributing to scripts, watching rough cuts, and providing valuable feedback."

This isn't the first time we've seen Maul, but Maul: Shadow Lord promises to explore the depths of this iconic villain. "We liken him to characters like Michael Myers or Jason Voorhees—constantly returning despite being defeated," Portillo noted. "Darth Maul's story is one of resilience, and we're excited to delve into his history in this series."

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Portillo highlighted significant advancements in Lucasfilm Animation's production techniques, including animation, lighting, effects, matte paintings, and asset creation. "When Dave Filoni started the Maul project post-Covid, he challenged our team to push beyond their comfort zones," she explained. "He encouraged us to create something exceptional, and we've upgraded everything from body mechanics to facial animations and lighting. After watching an episode, Filoni praised our work, saying, 'You guys are creating cinema.'"

Portillo emphasized that Maul: Shadow Lord represents a step forward from previous projects like The Bad Batch and Tales of the Underworld. "We've just finished Tales of the Underworld and are set to release Maul in 2026, but we're still refining it," she added.

Tales of the Underworld will feature Asajj Ventress and Cad Bane, each with three episodes exploring their villainous journeys. Portillo shared that Ventress' story will focus on her resurrection by Mother Talzin and her subsequent relationship with a young boy, leading to a narrative about two Jedi on the run.

Ventress' storyline picks up from the Dark Disciple novel, confirming her resurrection and continuing her connection with Quinlan Vos. "The fans loved the emotional depth of their relationship," Portillo said. "It's a compelling love story, similar to those of Obi-Wan and Satine, and Padme and Anakin."

Portillo also discussed Ventress' internal struggle with her past, which shapes her journey in the series. "Characters often reassess their paths after significant experiences," she noted. "Ventress meets someone who influences her positively, offering a new perspective."

Both Tales of the Underworld and Maul: Shadow Lord promise to enrich the Star Wars universe. Tales of the Underworld is slated to premiere on Disney+ on May 4, 2025, while fans eagerly await a release date for Maul: Shadow Lord.